{"id":11845,"date":"2020-08-13T19:30:14","date_gmt":"2020-08-13T19:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/montana\/?p=11845"},"modified":"2020-10-26T21:52:11","modified_gmt":"2020-10-26T21:52:11","slug":"amplify-montana-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/montana\/2020\/08\/13\/amplify-montana-recap\/","title":{"rendered":"Amplify Montana Recap: The First Year and a Half"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since we launched our Amplify Montana<\/a> initiative in 2018, our members have been involved in many community and state level activities. We want to recognize all that work and dedication here, in a recap article. Moving forward we will share Amplify Montana updates on a regular basis.<\/p>\n

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Hats Off to Our First Cohort! <\/strong><\/h2>\n

October 3, 2018<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"On October 3, 2018, our first Amplify Montana Speakers Bureau cohort completed their training and shared their stories to an audience of about 75 people at their graduation ceremony in Helena. We had seven graduates who worked hard through nine weeks of training, practicing public speaking skills, storytelling, learning about advocacy, and growing as leaders. Our speakers captivated the audience through their stories about generational poverty, struggles with addiction and mental illness, work that does not pay the bills, and more. We are sad to see our weekly workshops end, but we know this is only the beginning for these talented and passionate individuals! We hope to watch them continue to speak and educate our community and beyond.<\/p>\n

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What Does Hunger Look Like? A Training with the Youth Leadership Council <\/strong><\/h2>\n

November 30, 2018<\/em><\/p>\n

Every year, Governor and First Lady Bullock convene the Youth Leadership Council, which is a group of middle and high school students from across Montana who are passionate about ending poverty and hunger in their communities. They begin their journeys with the Youth Leadership Council by participating in a day-long orientation training. At their training, they learn all about food insecurity in Montana and start brainstorming projects to work on in their own communities. This year, Selena shared her story with the youth to help inspire them to take meaningful action. In her speech, she wrote:<\/p>\n

\u201cGo volunteer at your local food pantry. Talk to the people there and learn about their circumstances. Ask them what your school or community needs to solve hunger. Everyone has their own story and their own struggles, and the people who have really experienced hunger can tell you the best ways to try and solve it. Build relationships with people you might not normally befriend. Don\u2019t judge people for their situations or decisions. Instead, get to know them and understand them.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n